Pre-Purchase and Home Buyer Education

Buying a home is one of the most important financial decisions you’ll ever make. If you have a desire to be a homeowner, working toward that dream requires a deep understanding of a very complicated transaction. Let us help!

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Pre-Purchase Counseling includes but is not limited to: 

Advice regarding readiness, affordability, and preparation for homeownership; housing selection and mobility; fair housing, fair lending practices and predatory lending; budget and credit counseling; loan product features; purchase procedures and closing costs; insurance; selecting and working with a realtor; and obtaining and evaluating a home inspection. It may also may include guidance on down payment assistance; how to apply for special programs available to potential homebuyers; and referrals to community services. 

 

Home Buyer Education helps clients determine what type of housing is suitable depending on their circumstances; calculate housing ratios, debt to income ratios, and learn the the advantages of owning vs renting.

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Budget and Credit Counseling

Our counselors will coach clients to create a household budget based on financial goals.  They will also help evaluate the financial situation and advise about strategies to achieve goals.

Resolving or Preventing Mortgage Delinquency or Default

Because unexpected challenges come up, we are here to help if homeowners fall behind on their mortgage payments, for whatever reason. THF provides several foreclosure prevention services to help clients understand the process and avoid foreclosure. The earlier the contact with a housing counselor and lender, the more likely the default may be cured and ownership may be retained.

 

Foreclosure Prevention Counseling:

Explains the consequences of default and foreclosure and helps establish reinstatement plan. It may also include helping clients affected by predatory lending while explaining foreclosure prevention strategies the foreclosure process and provide referrals to other sources. It may offer assistance locating alternative housing. 

 

Default & Delinquency Counseling:

Helps clients evaluate their financial situation, while offering knowledge of options available to resolve, or provides loss mitigation assistance.

 

Homeowners Emergency Mortgage Assistance Program or HEMAP:

We assist clients applying for this state-funded program designed to help homeowners who are suffering financial hardship and are temporarily unable to pay their mortgage due to circumstances beyond their control. The Pennsylvania Housing and Finance Agency (PHFA) administers HEMAP and determines which applications are eligible for the assistance.  Counties we serve include; Centre, Clearfield, Clinton, Juniata, Jefferson, Mifflin.

Post-Purchase Counseling

​Holding on to the American Dream of homeownership isn’t simple in a challenging economy. But an ounce of prevention just may be a cure. THF provides Non-Delinquency Post Purchase Counseling to help homeowners be successful after purchasing their first home. Our focus is creating long-term sustainability; by creating an Action Plan that prioritizes home maintenance, financial management, and emergency preparedness for. This counseling is required on an annual basis by the State College Borough Home Partnership Program for five years post-purchase.

 

Post Purchase Counseling includes but is not limited to: reviewing escrow funds; budgeting; refinancing; home equity; home improvement; utility costs; energy efficiency; and rights and responsibilities of home owners. It may also include: loan and grant options; Fair Housing and Predatory Lending. This counseling helps clients successfully fulfill responsibility as a homeowner, understand the importance of continued financial management, plan for completing and financing home repairs or maintenance.

Rental Housing Counseling

​Looking for and securing affordable renting opportunities can be challenging. Whether you’ve never rented before or are looking for a new rental situation, let us help!

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Rental Counseling topics include but are not limited to: 

understanding leases and their terms, information about rent subsidy programs; other federal, state, or local rental assistance; fair housing regulations; housing search assistance; landlord tenant laws; rent delinquency; eviction prevention; budgeting for rent payments; and providing assistance with locating alternate housing. ​​